Protocol Translation in Smart Grid Communications

ABSTRACT

A system and method for managing smart grid communication is disclosed. The system includes a communication module, a discovery module, a translation module and a smart grid module. The communication module receives data initiating smart grid communication between a utility server and a communication node. The discovery module identifies a server protocol used by the utility server to communicate with the communication node. The discovery module identifies a node protocol used by the communication node to communicate with the utility server. The node protocol is incompatible with the server protocol. The translation module performs a protocol translation between the server protocol and the node protocol. The smart grid module handles the smart grid communication between the utility server and the communication node using the protocol translation.

BACKGROUND

The specification relates to smart grid technologies. In particular, thespecification relates to managing data communication in a smart gridcommunication network.

A utility server and an electric vehicle may use a single communicationprotocol to communicate with each other. However, communicationprotocols used in data communication between utility servers andelectric vehicles may be different in various geographic locations. Forexample, in the United States a smart energy profile (SEP) 2.0 protocolmay be used by both a utility server and an electric vehicle for datacommunication; however, in Japan an ECHONET Lite protocol may be used.It is difficult for an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to produceelectric vehicles that implement different communication protocols.Furthermore, the utility server may update the communication protocol ina short term or use a new communication protocol. However, an averagelife time of an electric vehicle can be more than 10 years. Therefore,some mechanisms that prevent electric vehicles from being obsolete dueto the update of the communication protocol are desirable. It is noteasy for the electric vehicle to deal with the protocol update oraccommodate the new protocol used in the utility server.

SUMMARY

The specification includes a system and method for managing datacommunication in a smart grid communication network. The system includesa communication module, a discovery module, a translation module and asmart grid module. The communication module receives data initiatingsmart grid communication between a utility server and a communicationnode. The discovery module identifies a server protocol used by theutility server to communicate with the communication node. The discoverymodule identifies a node protocol used by the communication node tocommunicate with the utility server. The node protocol is incompatiblewith the server protocol. The translation module performs a protocoltranslation between the server protocol and the node protocol. The smartgrid module handles the smart grid communication between the utilityserver and the communication node using the protocol translation.

The system is particularly advantageous in numerous respects. First, thesystem includes a gateway that accommodates different server protocolsemployed by utility servers and different node protocols employed bycommunication nodes. The gateway translates server protocols to nodeprotocols and vice versa. The system enables a communication node tocommunicate with different utility servers using a common node protocol.The system also enables a utility server to communicate with differentcommunication nodes using a common server protocol. The system isprotocol agnostic since, for example, a utility server does not need tocare about node protocols used in communication nodes and acommunication node does not need to care about server protocols used inutility servers. Second, the system is cost efficient since acommunication node can use its own protocol to communicate withdifferent utility servers and an OEM producing the communication nodedoes not need to prepare and test different protocols that may be usedin different geographic locations. Third, the system can incorporateprotocol updates or new protocols easily. For example, if serverprotocols are updated or new server protocols are used, the system canupdate data stored in a storage device of the gateway (e.g., firmware inthe gateway) and there is no need to modify the communication node inorder to accommodate the server protocol updates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The specification is illustrated by way of example, and not by way oflimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereference numerals are used to refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram illustrating a system for managingdata communication in a smart grid communication network according toone embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a protocol application accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing datacommunication in a smart grid communication network according to oneembodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts illustrating a method for managing datacommunication in a smart grid communication network according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for updating one or more ofa server protocol and a node protocol in a gateway according to oneembodiment.

FIGS. 6A-6C are graphical representations illustrating various examplescenarios to apply a gateway according to various embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation illustrating example protocols usedin a smart grid communication network according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system and method for managing data communication in a smart gridcommunication network is described below. In the following description,for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the specification. It willbe apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments canbe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoidobscuring the specification. For example, the specification is describedin one embodiment below with reference to user interfaces and particularhardware. However, the description applies to any type of computingdevice that can receive data and commands, and any peripheral devicesproviding services.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment.

Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are presented interms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on databits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions andrepresentations are the means used by those skilled in the dataprocessing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their workto others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally,conceived to be a self consistent sequence of steps leading to a desiredresult. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physicalquantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take theform of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,transferred, combined, compared and otherwise manipulated. It has provenconvenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to referto these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms,numbers or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion,it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizingterms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or“determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action andprocesses of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device,that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical(electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers andmemories into other data similarly represented as physical quantitieswithin the computer system memories or registers or other suchinformation storage, transmission or display devices.

The specification also relates to an apparatus for performing theoperations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for therequired purposes, or it may include a general-purpose computerselectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored inthe computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computerreadable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type ofdisk including floppy disks, optical disks, compact disc read-onlymemories (CD-ROMs), magnetic disks, read-only memories (ROMs), randomaccess memories (RAMs), erasable programmable read-only memories(EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories(EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, flash memories including universalserial bus (USB) keys with non-volatile memory or any type of mediasuitable for storing electronic instructions, each coupled to a computersystem bus.

Some embodiments can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment,an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment containing bothhardware and software elements. A preferred embodiment is implemented insoftware, which includes but is not limited to firmware, residentsoftware, microcode, etc.

Furthermore, some embodiments can take the form of a computer programproduct accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable mediumproviding program code for use by or in connection with a computer orany instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description,a computer-usable or computer-readable medium can be any apparatus thatcan contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program foruse by or in connection with the instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode will include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectlyto memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can includelocal memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulkstorage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at leastsome program code in order to reduce the number of times code must beretrieved from bulk storage during execution.

Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards,displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system eitherdirectly or through intervening I/O controllers.

Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the dataprocessing system to become coupled to other data processing systems orremote printers or storage devices through intervening private or publicnetworks. Modems, cable modems and Ethernet cards are just a few of thecurrently available types of network adapters.

Finally, the algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherentlyrelated to any particular computer or other apparatus. Variousgeneral-purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with theteachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct morespecialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The requiredstructure for a variety of these systems will appear from thedescription below. In addition, the specification is not described withreference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciatedthat a variety of programming languages may be used to implement theteachings of the various embodiments as described herein.

System Overview

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 for managing datacommunication in a smart grid communication network according to oneembodiment. The illustrated system 100 includes a user device 115 thatis accessed by a user 135, a gateway device 101, a modem 109, utilityservers 103 a . . . 103 n (referred to individually and collectively as103) and communication nodes 107 a . . . 107 n (referred to individuallyand collectively as 107). The modem 109 is depicted using a dashed lineto indicate that it is an optional feature in the system 100. While onlyone gateway device 101, one modem 109, one user device 115, twocommunication nodes 107 and two utility servers 103 are depicted in FIG.1, the system 100 could include one or more gateway devices 101, one ormore modems 109, one or more user devices 115, one or more communicationnodes 107 and one or more utility servers 103. In some embodiments, thesystem 100 may include other servers and/or devices not shown in FIG. 1such as a display device and an input device, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the entities of the system 100 arecommunicatively coupled to a network 125. The utility server 103 a iscommunicatively coupled to the network 125 via signal line 102. Theutility server 103 n is communicatively coupled to the network 125 viasignal line 114. The communication node 107 a is communicatively coupledto the gateway 101 via signal line 106. The communication node 107 n iscommunicatively coupled to the gateway 101 via signal line 108. The userdevice 115 is communicatively coupled to the network 125 via signal line116. The gateway 101 is communicatively coupled to the network 125 viasignal line 104. In one embodiment, the gateway 101 is communicativelycoupled to the network 125 via the modem 109. For example, the gateway101 is coupled to the modem 109 via signal line 110, and the modem 109is connected to the network 125 via signal line 112.

The gateway 101 is any device for handling communications between acommunication node 107 and a utility server 103 via a network 125. Forexample, the gateway 101 is a home gateway device that manages anyservices provided to a communication node 107 (e.g., charging service,billing service, power load balance, power safety service, etc.). In theillustrated embodiment, the gateway 101 includes a protocol application105.

The protocol application 105 is code and routines for managingcommunication protocols and handling communications between a utilityserver 103 and a communication node 107. In one embodiment, the protocolapplication 105 includes code and routines stored in an on-chip storageof a processor (not pictured) included in the gateway 101. In anotherembodiment, the protocol application 105 is implemented using hardwaresuch as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In yet anotherembodiment, the protocol application 105 is implemented using acombination of hardware and software. The protocol application 105 isdescribed below in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

The utility server 103 is any computing device. For example, the utilityserver 103 is a hardware server including a processor (not pictured), amemory (not pictured) and network communication capabilities. In oneembodiment, the utility server 103 applies a server protocol tocommunicate with one or more communication nodes 107 via the gateway 101and provides utility service (e.g., electric vehicle charging service,billing service for utility usage, etc.) to the one or morecommunication nodes 107. A server protocol is a communication protocolused by a utility server 103 in smart grid communication. For example, aserver protocol is a smart energy profile version 2 (SEP2.0) used in theUnited States or an ECHONET Lite used in Japan. Other example serverprotocols are possible. Smart grid communication includes any datacommunication occurring in smart grid. In one embodiment, the smart gridincludes an interconnected communications and power distribution networkthat is intended to streamline power generation, transmission,distribution, monitoring and control.

In one embodiment, a utility server 103 applies a server protocol toperform various energy management functions in smart grid communication.Example energy management functions include, but are not limited to,smart meter reading that records power usage in real time, loadadjustment depending on current power demand and power supply, automaticfault detection and self-healing to improve network reliability,flexible billing and pricing service (e.g., flat rate; variable ratedepending on one or more of power supply and demand, geographiclocations, the season and the time of day, etc.) and renewable energyintegration (e.g., integrating solar power and wind power into smartgrid), etc.

For example, the utility server 103 applies a server protocol in smartgrid communication to monitor and control the charging of an electricvehicle at home. Depending on current power supply and demand in thelocal region, the utility server 103 may adjust load balance byspecifying a delayed charging start time for the electric vehicle sothat the power supply and demand in the local region can be balanced. Inother examples, the utility server 103 may apply the server protocol toprovide other services to a communication node 107 in a smart gridcommunication network, e.g., to bill the power usage consumed by thecommunication node 107 with different rates in different charging times.

In some implementations, different utility servers 103 use differentserver protocols for communication with each other and for communicationwith the communication nodes 107 in a smart grid communication network.For example, a first utility server 103 applies a first server protocolto communicate with a second utility server 103. However, the secondutility server 103 applies a second server protocol to communicate withthe first utility server 103. In this scenario, a protocol translationbetween the first server protocol and the second server protocol isrequired for the smart grid communication between the first utilityserver 103 and the second utility server 103. The protocol translationis described below in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

The communication node 107 is any node that communicates with a utilityserver 103 using a node protocol. For example, the communication node107 can be one of an electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, anelectric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) or any other electric devicesuch as a smart appliance programmed to operate when the power rate islowest in a day. In one embodiment, an electric vehicle or a hybridelectric vehicle is connected to the gateway 101 via an electric vehiclesupply equipment. In another embodiment, an electric vehicle is directlyconnected to the gateway 101.

A node protocol is a communication protocol used by a communication node107 in smart grid communication. In one embodiment, a node protocol usedby a communication node 107 is compatible with a server protocol used bya utility server 103. For example, the node protocol and the serverprotocol are the same protocol. In this scenario, no protocoltranslation between the node protocol and the server protocol isrequired for the smart grid communication between the utility server 103and the communication node 107. In another embodiment, a node protocolused by a communication node 107 is different from and incompatible witha server protocol used by a utility server 103. In this scenario, aprotocol translation between the node protocol and the server protocolis required for the smart grid communication between the utility server103 and the communication node 107.

In some embodiments, the communication node 107 applies a node protocolfor communication with one or more utility servers 103 via the gateway101. For example, the communication node 107 uses a node protocol tocommunicate with a utility server 103 for requesting a charging serviceor a billing service, etc., from the utility server 103. In someimplementations, the node protocol is a common protocol used by thecommunication node 107 to communicate with utility servers 103 via agateway 101, where each utility server 103 may apply a different serverprotocol in smart grid communication. In some embodiments, differentcommunication nodes 107 use different node protocols to communicate witha utility server 103 in smart grid communication. For example, while afirst communication node 107 uses a first node protocol to communicatewith a utility server 103, a second communication node 107 uses a secondnode protocol to communicate with the same utility server 103.

The modem 109 is a device that acts as a modulator and a demodulator.For example, the modem 109 modulates a carrier signal to encode digitalinformation. In another example, the modem 109 demodulates the carriersignal to decode the transmitted information carried by the carriersignal. For example, the modem 109 encodes data received from thegateway 101 using a carrier signal and sends the encoded carrier signalto the utility server 103. In another example, the modem 109 decodesdata from a carrier signal that is received from the utility server 103and sends the decoded data to the gateway 101.

The user device 115 is a computing device that includes a memory (notshown) and a processor (not shown), for example a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile telephone, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a mobile email device, a portable game player,a portable music player, a reader device, a television with one or moreprocessors embedded therein or coupled thereto or other electronicdevice capable of accessing a network 125. In the illustratedimplementation, the user 135 interacts with the user device 115.

The network 125 is a conventional type of network, wired or wireless,and may have any number of configurations such as a star configuration,token ring configuration or other configurations known to those skilledin the art. In one embodiment, the network 125 includes one or more of alocal area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) (e.g., the Internet)and/or any other interconnected data path across which multiple devicescommunicate. In another embodiment, the network 125 is a peer-to-peernetwork. The network 125 is coupled to or includes portions of atelecommunications network for sending data in a variety of differentcommunication protocols. For example, the network 125 is a 3G network ora 4G network. In yet another embodiment, the network 125 includesBluetooth communication networks or a cellular communications networkfor sending and receiving data such as via short messaging service(SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), hypertext transfer protocol(HTTP), direct data connection, wireless application protocol (WAP),email, etc. In yet another embodiment, all or some of the links in thenetwork 125 are encrypted using conventional encryption technologiessuch as secure sockets layer (SSL), secure HTTP and/or virtual privatenetworks (VPNs).

Protocol Application

Referring now to FIG. 2, the protocol application 105 is shown in moredetail. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a gateway 101 accordingto one embodiment. The gateway 101 includes the protocol application105, a processor 235, a memory 237, a communication unit 239 and astorage device 243. These components of the gateway 101 arecommunicatively coupled by a bus 220.

The processor 235 includes an arithmetic logic unit, a microprocessor, ageneral purpose controller or some other processor array to performcomputations, retrieve data stored on the memory 237 and other storagedevices, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the processor 235 iscommunicatively coupled to the bus 220 via signal line 222. Processor235 processes data signals and may include various computingarchitectures including a complex instruction set computer (CISC)architecture, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) architecture, oran architecture implementing a combination of instruction sets. Althoughonly a single processor 235 is shown in FIG. 2, multiple processors 235may be included. The processing capability may be limited to supportingthe display of images and the capture and transmission of images. Theprocessing capability might be enough to perform more complex tasks,including various types of feature extraction and sampling. In otherembodiments, other processors, operating systems, sensors, displays andphysical configurations are possible.

The memory 237 stores instructions and/or data that may be executed bythe processor 235. In the illustrated embodiment, the memory 237 iscommunicatively coupled to the bus 220 via signal line 224. Theinstructions and/or data may include code for performing the techniquesdescribed herein. The memory 237 may be a dynamic random access memory(DRAM) device, a static random access memory (SRAM) device, flash memoryor some other memory device. In some embodiments, the memory 237 alsoincludes a non-volatile memory or similar permanent storage device andmedia including a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM device,a DVD-ROM device, a DVD-RAM device, a DVD-RW device, a flash memorydevice, or some other mass storage device for storing information on amore permanent basis.

The communication unit 239 handles communications between the gateway101 and other entities of the system 100. The communication unit 239 iscommunicatively coupled to the bus 220 via signal line 226. In oneembodiment, the communication unit 239 includes a network interface forconnecting the gateway 101 to the network 125. In one embodiment, thecommunication unit 239 includes a port for direct physical connection tothe network 125 or to another communication channel. For example, thecommunication unit 239 includes a universal serial bus (USB), category 5cable (CAT-5) or similar port for wired communication with the network125. In another embodiment, the communication unit 239 includes awireless transceiver for exchanging data with the network 125, or withanother communication channel, using one or more wireless communicationmethods, such as IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, BLUETOOTH®, near fieldcommunication (NFC) or another suitable wireless communication method.In one embodiment, the communication unit 239 includes a NFC chip thatgenerates a radio frequency (RF) for short-range communication.

In some embodiments, the communication unit 239 includes a cellularcommunications transceiver for sending and receiving data over acellular communications network including via short messaging service(SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), hypertext transfer protocol(HTTP), direct data connection, WAP, e-mail or another suitable type ofelectronic communication. In some embodiments, the communication unit239 also provides other conventional connections to the network 125 fordistribution of files and/or media objects using standard networkprotocols including TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS and SMTP, etc.

The storage device 243 is a non-transitory memory that stores data. Forexample, the storage device 243 is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)device, a static random access memory (SRAM) device, flash memory orsome other memory device. In one embodiment, the storage device 243 alsoincludes a non-volatile memory or similar permanent storage device andmedia such as a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a compact discread only memory (CD-ROM) device, a digital versatile disc read onlymemory (DVD-ROM) device, a digital versatile disc random access memories(DVD-RAM) device, a digital versatile disc rewritable (DVD-RW) device, aflash memory device, or some other non-volatile storage device. Thestorage 243 is communicatively coupled to the bus 220 via signal line228.

In one embodiment, the storage 243 stores data for providing thefunctionality described herein. For example, the storage 243 stores oneor more of: data describing one or more server protocols used by one ormore utility servers 103; data describing one or more node protocolsused by one or more communication nodes 107; and update data describingone or more updates for the server protocols or node protocols, or both.In some embodiments, the storage 243 may store any other data forproviding the functionality described herein.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the protocol application105 includes a communication module 201, a discovery module 203, ahandshake module 205, a translation module 207, an update module 209, asmart grid module 210 and a user interface module 211. These componentsof the protocol application 105 are communicatively coupled to the bus220 for communication with each other or other components of the gateway101. In some embodiments, each module in the protocol application 105 isa set of instructions executable by the processor 235 to provide thefunctionality described below. In other embodiments, each module in theprotocol application 105 is stored in the memory 237 of the gateway 101and is accessible and executable by the processor 235.

The communication module 201 is code and routines that, when executed bythe processor 235, handles communication between components of theprotocol application 105 and other components of the system 100. Forexample, the communication module 201 receives update data for a serverprotocol from a utility server 103 via the communication unit 239 andsends the update data to the update module 209. In another example, thecommunication module 201 receives node protocol data that is convertedfrom server protocol data from the smart grid module 210 and sends theconverted node protocol data to a communication node 107 via thecommunication unit 239. The communication module 201 is communicativelycoupled to the bus 220 via signal line 230.

In one embodiment, the communication module 201 receives data (e.g.,update data) from other components of the protocol application 105(e.g., the update module 209) and stores the data in the storage 243. Inanother embodiment, the communication module 201 retrieves data from thestorage 243 and sends the data to other components of the protocolapplication 105. In yet another embodiment, the communication module 201handles communication among components of the protocol application 105.For example, the communication module 201 receives translation datadescribing a protocol translation between a server protocol and a nodeprotocol from the translation module 207 and sends the translation datato the smart grid module 210. In other embodiments, the communicationmodule 201 may provide any other functionality for handlingcommunication described herein.

The discovery module 203 is code and routines that, when executed by theprocessor 235, discovers server protocols used in utility servers 103 ornode protocols used in communication nodes 107, or both. The discoverymodule 203 is communicatively coupled to the bus 220 via signal line232. In one embodiment, the discovery module 203 receives dataindicating an initialization of smart grid communication between autility server 103 and a communication node 107 from one or more of theutility server 103 and the communication node 107. For example, thediscovery module 203 receives, from the communication node 107, datadescribing a request for charging service from the utility server 103.The discovery module 203 determines a server identifier (ID) identifyingthe utility server 103 and a node ID identifying the communication node107 based on the received data.

Examples of a server ID include, but are not limited to, an address ofthe utility server 103 (e.g., an Internet Protocol (IP) address, auniform resource locator (URL), an email address, a geographic location,etc.), a name of the utility server 103 and any other identificationdata capable of identifying the utility server 103. Examples of a nodeID include, but are not limited to, an address of the communication node107 (e.g., an IP address, a URL, a geographic location such as a homeaddress, etc.), a manufacture serial number (e.g., an original equipmentmanufacturer (OEM) number, a vehicle identification number), a brand anda model of the communication node 107 (e.g., a manufacturer and a modelfor an electric vehicle) and any other identification data capable ofidentifying the communication node 107.

The discovery module 203 identifies a server protocol used in theutility server 103 and a node protocol used in the communication node107 respectively. For example, the discovery module 203 cross-referencescommunication protocols stored in the storage device 243 using theserver ID and the node ID, and retrieves a first communication protocolmatching the server ID as a server protocol and a second communicationprotocol matching the node ID as a node protocol from the storage 243.In another example, the discovery module 203 sends a protocol inquirymessage to the utility server 103 and the communication node 107respectively, and receives data describing a server protocol from theutility server 103 and data describing a node protocol from thecommunication node 107.

In one embodiment, the discovery module 203 stores one or more of theidentified server protocol, the identified node protocol, an associationbetween the identified server protocol and the utility server 103 and anassociation between the identified node protocol and the communicationnode 107 in the storage 243. In another embodiment, the discovery module203 sends data describing the identified server protocol and theidentified node protocol to one or more of the handshake module 205, thetranslation module 207 and the smart grid module 210.

The handshake module 205 is code and routines that, when executed by theprocessor 235, performs a handshake process with a utility server 103 ora communication node 107, or both. The handshake module 205 iscommunicatively coupled to the bus 220 via signal line 234. In oneembodiment, the handshake module 205 receives data describing a serverprotocol used in the utility server 103 and a node protocol used in thecommunication node 107 from the discovery module 203. The handshakemodule 205 performs a first handshake process with the utility server103 and a second handshake process with the communication node 107respectively. For example, the handshake module 205 negotiates with theutility server 103 and dynamically sets up one or more parameters forusing the server protocol to communicate with the utility server 103. Inanother example, the handshake module 205 negotiates with thecommunication node 107 and dynamically sets up one or more parametersfor using the node protocol to communicate with the communication node107.

A handshake process is an automated process dynamically establishing oneor more parameters for smart grid communication between two entities.Example parameters include, but are not limited to, a data transferrate, a coding rate, parity check, exceptions and interrupt procedures,any other parameters to initialize communication with the utility server103 using the server protocol and any other parameters to initializecommunication with the communication node 107 using the node protocol.

The translation module 207 is code and routines that, when executed bythe processor 235, performs a protocol translation between differentcommunication protocols. The translation module 207 is communicativelycoupled to the bus 220 via signal line 238. In one embodiment, thetranslation module 207 receives a server protocol used by a utilityserver 103 and a node protocol used by a communication node 107 from thediscovery module 203. The translation module 207 performs a protocoltranslation between the server protocol and the node protocol so thatthe smart grid module 210 can handle smart grid communication betweenthe utility server 103 and the communication node 107 using the protocoltranslation. For example, the translation module 207 maps aspecification describing the server protocol to a correspondingspecification describing the node protocol, and vice versa. In a furtherexample, the translation module 207 maps rules, procedures, functionsets and terminology, etc., used in the server protocol to correspondingrules, procedures, function sets and terminology, etc., used in the nodeprotocol, and vice versa.

In one embodiment, the translation module 207 receives a first serverprotocol used in a first utility server 103 and a second server protocolused in a second utility server 103 from the discovery module 203. Thetranslation module 207 performs a protocol translation between the firstserver protocol and the second server protocol so that the smart gridmodule 210 can handle smart grid communication between the first utilityserver 103 and the second utility server 103 using the protocoltranslation.

In one embodiment, the translation module 207 receives an updated serverprotocol from the update module 209 and performs a protocol translationbetween the updated server protocol and the node protocol. In anotherembodiment, the translation module 207 receives an updated node protocolfrom the update module 209 and performs a protocol translation betweenthe server protocol and the updated node protocol. In yet anotherembodiment, the translation module 207 performs a protocol translationbetween an updated server protocol and an updated node protocol.

In one embodiment, the translation module 207 stores translation datadescribing the protocol translation in the storage 243. In anotherembodiment, the translation module 207 sends the translation data to thesmart grid module 210.

The update module 209 is code and routines that, when executed by theprocessor 235, updates one or more of a server protocol and a nodeprotocol. The update module 209 is communicatively coupled to the bus220 via signal line 240. In one embodiment, the update module 209detects an update for a server protocol, retrieves update datadescribing the update from the utility server 103 and updates the serverprotocol using the update data in the gateway 101. In anotherembodiment, the update module 209 detects an update for a node protocol,retrieves update data describing the update from the communication node107 and updates the node protocol using the update data in the gateway101.

When the server protocol used in the utility server 103 has beenupdated, it is beneficial to update the server protocol in the gateway101 since, for example, the communication node 107 does not need toupdate its node protocol and can still use the node protocol for smartgrid communication with the utility server 103 as long as a protocoltranslation between the node protocol and the updated server protocol isperformed for the smart grid communication. This prevents the nodeprotocol used in the communication node 107 from being obsolete due tothe update of the server protocol.

When the node protocol used in the communication node 107 has beenupdated, it is beneficial to update the node protocol in the gateway 101since, for example, the utility server 103 does not need to update itsserver protocol and can still use the server protocol for smart gridcommunication with the communication node 107 as long as a protocoltranslation between the updated node protocol and the server protocol isperformed for the smart grid communication. This prevents the serverprotocol used in the utility server 103 from being obsolete due to theupdate of the node protocol.

In one embodiment, a new utility server 103 which uses a new serverprotocol for smart grid communication is added to the system 100. Theupdate module 209 receives data describing the new server protocol fromthe new utility server 103 and stores the new server protocol in thestorage 243. The translation module 207 performs protocol translationsbetween the new server protocol and other server protocols or nodeprotocols in the gateway 101 so that the new utility server 103 cancommunicate with other utility servers 103 or communication nodes 107using its new server protocol via the gateway 101.

In another embodiment, a new communication node 107 which uses a newnode protocol for smart grid communication is added to the system 100.The update module 209 receives data describing the new node protocolfrom the new communication node 107 and stores the new node protocol inthe storage 243. The translation module 207 performs protocoltranslations between the new node protocol and other server protocols inthe gateway 101 so that the new communication node 107 can communicatewith other utility servers 103 using its new node protocol via thegateway 101.

The smart grid module 210 is code and routines that, when executed bythe processor 235, handles smart grid communication between a utilityserver 103 and a communication node 107. The smart grid module 210 iscommunicatively coupled to the bus 220 via signal line 236. In oneembodiment, the smart grid module 210 receives a protocol translationbetween a server protocol used by a utility server 103 and a nodeprotocol used by a communication node 107 from the translation module207, and handles smart grid communication between the utility server 103and the communication node 107 using the protocol translation. Forexample, the smart grid module 210 receives node protocol data that isorganized using the node protocol from the communication node 107. Thesmart grid module 210 converts, based on the protocol translation, thenode protocol data to server protocol data that is organized using theserver protocol. The smart grid module 210 sends the server protocoldata to the utility server 103. In another example, the smart gridmodule 210 receives server protocol data that is organized using theserver protocol from the utility server 103. The smart grid module 210converts, based on the protocol translation, the server protocol data tonode protocol data that is organized using the node protocol. The smartgrid module 210 sends the node protocol data to the communication node107.

Node protocol data is any data having a data structure complied with anode protocol. In one embodiment, the node protocol data includes datato be transmitted from a communication node 107 to a utility server 103.Server protocol data is any data having a data structure complied with aserver protocol. In one embodiment, the server protocol data includesdata to be transmitted from a utility server 103 to a communication node107 or to another utility server 103.

In one embodiment, the smart grid module 210 receives a protocoltranslation between a first server protocol used by a first utilityserver 103 and a second server protocol used by a second utility server103 from the translation module 207, and handles smart gridcommunication between the first utility server 103 and the secondutility server 103 using the protocol translation. For example, thesmart grid module 210 receives a first set of server protocol data thatis organized using the first server protocol from the first utilityserver 103. The smart grid module 210 converts the first set of serverprotocol data to a second set of server protocol data that is organizedusing the second server protocol based on the protocol translation. Thesmart grid module 210 sends the second set of server protocol data tothe second utility server 103.

The implementation of smart grid communication using the protocoltranslation performed in the gateway 101 is advantageous, since not onlythe utility server 103 does not need to know what node protocol is usedby the communication node 107 but also the communication node 107 doesnot need to know what server protocol is used by the utility server 103.The protocol translation implemented in the gateway 101 allows theutility server 103 to use its own server protocol and the communicationnode 107 to use its own node protocol when communicating with each otheror communicating with other entities that use different communicationprotocols.

From the perspective of the utility server 103 and the communicationnode 107, the gateway 101 establishes a virtual communication pathbetween the utility server 103 and the communication node 107, andthrough the virtual communication path the utility server 103 and thecommunication node 107 communicate with each other using differentcommunication protocols. For example, the cooperation of (1) theprotocol translation and (2) the handling of the smart gridcommunication based on the protocol translation establishes a virtualcommunication path for smart grid communication between the utilityserver 103 and the communication node 107, allowing the utility server103 and the communication node 107 to communicate with each other usingincompatible communication protocols.

The user interface module 211 is code and routines that, when executedby the processor 235, generates graphical data for providing userinterfaces to users. The user interface module 211 is communicativelycoupled to the bus 220 via signal line 242. In one embodiment, the userinterface module 211 receives data describing a protocol translationbetween a server protocol and a node protocol from the translationmodule 207 and generates graphical data for providing a user interfacethat depicts the protocol translation to a user. The user interfacemodule 211 sends the graphical data to the communication node 107,causing the communication node 107 to present the user interface to theuser on a display device (not pictured) connected to the communicationnode 107. In one embodiment, the user interface module 211 sends thegraphical data to the user device 115, causing the user device 115 topresent the user interface to the user. In other embodiments, the userinterface module 211 may generate graphical data for providing otheruser interfaces to users.

Methods

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, various embodiments of the method of thespecification will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating amethod 300 for managing smart grid communication according to oneembodiment. The communication module 201 receives 301 data initiatingsmart grid communication between a utility server 103 and acommunication node 107. The discovery module 203 identifies 302 a serverprotocol used in the utility server 103. The discovery module 203identifies 304 a node protocol used in the communication node 107. Thehandshake module 205 performs 306 a handshake process with the utilityserver 103 and the communication node 107 respectively. The translationmodule 207 performs 308 a protocol translation between the serverprotocol and the node protocol. The smart grid module 210 handles 310smart grid communication between the utility server 103 and thecommunication node 107 using the protocol translation.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts illustrating a method 400 for managingsmart grid communication according to another embodiment. Referring toFIG. 4A, the communication module 201 receives 402 data initiating smartgrid communication between a utility server 103 and a communication node107. The discovery module 203 identifies 404 a server protocol used inthe utility server 103. The discovery module 203 identifies 406 a nodeprotocol used in the communication node 107. The handshake module 205performs 408 a handshake process with the utility server 103. Thehandshake module 205 performs 410 a handshake process with thecommunication node 107. The translation module 207 performs 411 aprotocol translation between the server protocol and the node protocol.The communication module 201 receives 412 a first set of node protocoldata from the communication node 107.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the smart grid module 210 converts 414 the firstset of node protocol data to a first set of server protocol data usingthe protocol translation. The communication module 201 sends 416 thefirst set of server protocol data to the utility server 103. Thecommunication module 201 receives 418 a second set of server protocoldata from the utility server 103. The smart grid module 210 converts 420the second set of server protocol data to a second set of node protocoldata using the protocol translation. The communication module 201 sends422 the second set of node protocol data to the communication node 107.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method 500 for updating one or moreof a server protocol and a node protocol according to one embodiment.The communication module 201 receives 502 update data for one or more ofa server protocol and a node protocol from one or more of a utilityserver 103 and a communication node 107. The update module 209 updates504 one or more of the server protocol and the node protocol using theupdate data. In one embodiment, the communication module 201 receives506 data describing one or more of a new server protocol and a new nodeprotocol from one or more of a utility server 103 and a communicationnode 107. The update module 209 stores 508 the one or more of the newserver protocol and the new node protocol in the storage 243.

Graphical Representations

FIGS. 6A-6C are graphical representations 600, 630, 650 illustratingvarious example scenarios to apply a gateway 101 in a smart gridcommunication network according to various embodiments. Referring toFIG. 6A, communication nodes 107 a and 107 b use a common node protocol604 for smart grid communication with utility servers 103 a and 103 brespectively; the utility server 103 a in Country A communicates withthe communication node 107 a using a first server protocol 602; and theutility server 103 b in Country B communicates with the communicationnode 107 b using a second server protocol 606. The first server protocol602 is different from the second server protocol 606. The communicationnode 107 a communicates with the utility server 103 a via the gateway101 a, where the gateway 101 a performs a protocol translation betweenthe node protocol 604 and the first server protocol 602 and handlessmart grid communication between the utility server 103 a and thecommunication node 107 a using the protocol translation. Thecommunication node 107 b can communicate with the utility server 103 bvia the gateway 101 b, where the gateway 101 b performs a protocoltranslation between the node protocol 604 and the second server protocol606 and handles smart grid communication between the utility server 103b and the communication node 107 b using the protocol translation.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the utility server 103 uses a first serverprotocol 632 and the communication node 107 uses a node protocol 634 forsmart grid communication with each other in Year 2013. The gateway 101performs a protocol translation between the node protocol 634 and thefirst server protocol 632 and handles smart grid communication betweenthe utility server 103 and the communication node 107 using the protocoltranslation. Assume in Year 2020 the first server protocol 632 isupdated to a second server protocol 636 and the utility server 103 usesthe second server protocol 636 for smart grid communication with thecommunication node 107. The gateway 101 updates the first serverprotocol 632 stored in the storage 243 to the second server protocol636. The gateway 101 performs a protocol translation between the secondserver protocol 636 and the node protocol 634, so that the communicationnode 107 can still communicate with the utility server 103 using thenode protocol 634 via the gateway 101. In this example scenario, thecommunication node 107 does not need to care about the update on theserver protocol as long as the gateway 101 is modified according to theupdate on the server protocol.

Referring to FIG. 6C, the utility server 103 uses a server protocol 652for smart grid communication with other entities. The communication node107 a uses a first node protocol 654 and the communication node 107 buses a second node protocol 656 for smart grid communication with theutility server 103. The gateway 101 performs a first protocoltranslation between the server protocol 652 and the first node protocol654 and handles smart grid communication between the utility server 103and the communication node 107 a using the first protocol translation.The gateway 101 performs a second protocol translation between theserver protocol 652 and the second node protocol 656 and handles smartgrid communication between the utility server 103 and the communicationnode 107 b using the second protocol translation. This exampleillustrates that the utility server 103 can communicate with differentcommunication nodes 107 that use different node protocols via thegateway 101.

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation 700 illustrating example protocolsused in a smart grid communication network according to one embodiment.In the illustrated embodiment, the communication node 107 uses a nodeprotocol in an application layer for smart grid communication with otherentities. The communication node 107 uses a power line communication(PLC) HomePlug® Green PHY (HP-GP) standard in a physical layer. Thecommunication node 107 communicates with the gateway 101 via a supplyequipment 702 such as an electric vehicle supply equipment. Because theutility server 103 uses a server protocol SEP2.0 for smart gridcommunication, the gateway 101 performs a protocol translation betweenthe server protocol SEP2.0 and the node protocol.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented for thepurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the specification to the precise form disclosed.Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. It is intended that the scope of the embodiments be limitednot by this detailed description, but rather by the claims of thisapplication. As will be understood by those familiar with the art, theexamples may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Likewise, theparticular naming and division of the modules, routines, features,attributes, methodologies and other aspects are not mandatory orsignificant, and the mechanisms that implement the description or itsfeatures may have different names, divisions and/or formats.Furthermore, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in therelevant art, the modules, routines, features, attributes, methodologiesand other aspects of the specification can be implemented as software,hardware, firmware or any combination of the three. Also, wherever acomponent, an example of which is a module, of the specification isimplemented as software, the component can be implemented as astandalone program, as part of a larger program, as a plurality ofseparate programs, as a statically or dynamically linked library, as akernel loadable module, as a device driver, and/or in every and anyother way known now or in the future to those of ordinary skill in theart of computer programming. Additionally, the specification is in noway limited to implementation in any specific programming language, orfor any specific operating system or environment. Accordingly, thedisclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of thescope of the specification, which is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving data initiatingsmart grid communication between a utility server and a communicationnode; identifying a server protocol used by the utility server tocommunicate with the communication node; identifying a node protocolused by the communication node to communicate with the utility server,the node protocol being incompatible with the server protocol;performing a first protocol translation between the server protocol andthe node protocol; and handling the smart grid communication between theutility server and the communication node using the first protocoltranslation.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the node protocol is acommon communication protocol used by the communication node tocommunicate with different utility servers that use different serverprotocols.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the server protocol is acommon communication protocol used by the utility server to communicatewith different communication nodes that use different node protocols. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein handling the smart grid communicationcomprises: receiving, from the utility server, a first set of serverprotocol data that is organized using the server protocol; converting,based on the first protocol translation, the first set of serverprotocol data to a first set of node protocol data that is organizedusing the node protocol; sending the first set of node protocol data tothe communication node; receiving, from the communication node, a secondset of node protocol data that is organized using the node protocol;converting, based on the first protocol translation, the second set ofnode protocol data to a second set of server protocol data that isorganized using the server protocol; and sending the second set ofserver protocol data to the utility server.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the communication node is one of an electric vehicle, a hybridelectric vehicle, a smart appliance and an electric vehicle supplyequipment.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receivingupdate data for the server protocol; updating the server protocol basedon the update data; performing a second protocol translation between theupdated server protocol and the node protocol; and handling the smartgrid communication between the utility server and the communication nodeusing the second protocol translation.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving data describing a new server protocol; performinga third protocol translation between the new server protocol and thenode protocol; and handling the smart grid communication between theutility server and the communication node using the third protocoltranslation.
 8. A computer program product comprising a non-transitorycomputer readable medium encoding instructions that, in response toexecution by a computing device, cause the computing device to performoperations comprising: receiving data initiating smart gridcommunication between a utility server and a communication node;identifying a server protocol used by the utility server to communicatewith the communication node; identifying a node protocol used by thecommunication node to communicate with the utility server, the nodeprotocol being incompatible with the server protocol; performing a firstprotocol translation between the server protocol and the node protocol;and handling the smart grid communication between the utility server andthe communication node using the first protocol translation.
 9. Thecomputer program product of claim 8, wherein the node protocol is acommon communication protocol used by the communication node tocommunicate with different utility servers that use different serverprotocols.
 10. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein theserver protocol is a common communication protocol used by the utilityserver to communicate with different communication nodes that usedifferent node protocols.
 11. The computer program product of claim 8,wherein handling the smart grid communication comprises: receiving, fromthe utility server, a first set of server protocol data that isorganized using the server protocol; converting, based on the firstprotocol translation, the first set of server protocol data to a firstset of node protocol data that is organized using the node protocol;sending the first set of node protocol data to the communication node;receiving, from the communication node, a second set of node protocoldata that is organized using the node protocol; converting, based on thefirst protocol translation, the second set of node protocol data to asecond set of server protocol data that is organized using the serverprotocol; and sending the second set of server protocol data to theutility server.
 12. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein thecommunication node is one of an electric vehicle, a hybrid electricvehicle, a smart appliance and an electric vehicle supply equipment. 13.The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the instructions causethe computing device to perform operations further comprising: receivingupdate data for the server protocol; updating the server protocol basedon the update data; performing a second protocol translation between theupdated server protocol and the node protocol; and handling the smartgrid communication between the utility server and the communication nodeusing the second protocol translation.
 14. The computer program productof claim 8, wherein the instructions cause the computing device toperform operations further comprising: receiving data describing a newserver protocol; performing a third protocol translation between the newserver protocol and the node protocol; and handling the smart gridcommunication between the utility server and the communication nodeusing the third protocol translation.
 15. A system comprising: acommunication module receiving data initiating smart grid communicationbetween a utility server and a communication node; a discovery modulecommunicatively coupled to the communication module, the discoverymodule identifying a server protocol used by the utility server tocommunicate with the communication node, the discovery moduleidentifying a node protocol used by the communication node tocommunicate with the utility server, the node protocol beingincompatible with the server protocol; a translation modulecommunicatively coupled to the discovery module, the translation moduleperforming a first protocol translation between the server protocol andthe node protocol; and a smart grid module communicatively coupled tothe discovery module and the translation module, the smart grid modulehandling the smart grid communication between the utility server and thecommunication node using the first protocol translation.
 16. The systemof claim 15, wherein the node protocol is a common communicationprotocol used by the communication node to communicate with differentutility servers that use different server protocols.
 17. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the server protocol is a common communication protocolused by the utility server to communicate with different communicationnodes that use different node protocols.
 18. The system of claim 15,wherein: the communication module receives, from the utility server, afirst set of server protocol data that is organized using the serverprotocol; the smart grid module converts, based on the first protocoltranslation, the first set of server protocol data to a first set ofnode protocol data that is organized using the node protocol; thecommunication module sends the first set of node protocol data to thecommunication node; the communication module receives, from thecommunication node, a second set of node protocol data that is organizedusing the node protocol; the smart grid module converts, based on thefirst protocol translation, the second set of node protocol data to asecond set of server protocol data that is organized using the serverprotocol; and the communication module sends the second set of serverprotocol data to the utility server.
 19. The system of claim 15, whereinthe communication node is one of an electric vehicle, a hybrid electricvehicle, a smart appliance and an electric vehicle supply equipment. 20.The system of claim 15, further comprising: an update module updatingthe server protocol based on update data describing an update for theserver protocol; and wherein the translation module performs a secondprotocol translation between the updated server protocol and the nodeprotocol and the smart grid module handles the smart grid communicationbetween the utility server and the communication node using the secondprotocol translation.